Vaginal dilating-pipe



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

- Patented Jan; 25, 1881.

y $3.wuMMHMUMHHHHMWWI I N MAYER Vaginal Di lating- Pipe.

(N0 M0 del )1 v .N.MA YER Vaginal Dila'ting Pipe.

' Patented Jan. 25, I881.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NATHAN MAYER, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

VAG'INAL DlLATlNG-PlPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 237,032, dated January 25, 1881.

' Application filed July 10, 1880. (No model.)

- reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is an elevation, showing the device as in readiness foruse. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of deviceshown in Fig. 1, showing the fingers extending as when in use. Fig. 3 is a plan view on line as m, Fig. 1, the fingers removed. Fig. 4 is a section, showingmodification in construction of the expandin g-fin gers; Fig. 5, perspective of one of the fingers; Fig. 6, perspectives of end of device in Fig. 4, when closed.

This invention relates to that class of devices used as pipes, nozzles, or attachments for self-injectin g or other syringes for the purpose of washing or medically treating the vagina, and more especially those having fingers or arms about a central pipe, and adapted to be expanded or contracted, .as may be required;

and the novelty consists in the construction and combination of the several parts, all as will now be more fully set out and explained.

In the accompanying drawings, A denotes the syringe pipe or nozzle proper, which is hollow and extends the whole length of the device, and has at its lower end the screwthread a, or any other proper means to permit its attachment to any ordinary syringes, selfinjecting or other. In the top end of this pipe A, as well as in the sides, near the top, are perforations a. Through the perforations, when the device is in use, the water or other fluid used in the syringe will be caused to flow out in sprays or jets. Externallyon this pipe A say, at about one-thirdofthe distance above the screw-thread ais the enlargement or attachment C, fixed permanently, its upper and lower ends being inclined or conical. Upon the body of this enlargement or attachment C,

made in one piece or in sections, encirclingring D can be moved by means of the nut E, to which it is rigidly connected by straps or rods 6, and which can be worked up or down on the screw-threaded neck h of the thimblescrew H, placed on the pipe A between its attaching end ct and the enlargement of fixed attachment C.

T0 or on the ring D, in any desired way, are pivoted the curved lower parts of the fingers I, between the elbow t and end i. Thus, by turning the thimble-screw H, the nut E will be drawn downward, and this movement will cause the ends '5 of the fingers I to slide in grooves or otherwise upon the lower incline or cone of the attachment 0, toward the pipe A, while at the same time the elbows i will slide in grooves or otherwise, on the upperincline of O, awayfrom A. Thus the inwardly-curved top ends of the fingers I will be stretched outward from the top of the pipe A, as now shown in Fig. 2, and afford the freest opportunity for the water or fluid escaping from the vents or holes a to reach every part of the expanded vagina; or, by reversing the movement of said thimblescrew H, the ends of the said fingers can be brought down upon and fit snugly to the top end of the pipe A, as shown in Fig. 1. In this shape it can be readily inserted in or removed from the vagina. The downward movement of the ring H will be stopped by the fixed ring it, or any suitable means.

It will be noted that the device can very easily be expanded or contracted when being used by turning with the fingers the screw-thimble H up or down,as the case may be. This thimble H is thus placed above and entirely out of the way of the pieces or parts connecting pipe A to the syringe proper, so that in manipulating the said thimble to move the fingers I there is no danger of disconnecting the pipe A from the syringe, which would be likely to happen were the thimble H near the point of connection.

If desired, the fingers I can be made so long that when contracted or closed their ends 7?, which are themselves one-half inch long (more or less) and are enlarged or knobbed, will meet beyond or above the top of the pipe A, as is now shown in Fig. 4. By such form of construction the end of the fingers I will, when dilated, be still beyond or above the end of the pipe A, thus permitting the womb to slide or fall between them and settle on the eml ot' the pipe. In this form of construction the circle lar cul-de-sac formed by the attachment of the vaginal walls arouml the neck of the womb above its mouth is exposed, aml under some circumstances the very best results in treatment can be attained. The construction of the ends or tips of the fingers I, when so prolonged, is represented more in detail in Fig. 5. Theseends having a generally triangularshape will, when brought together, combine to form a complete and smooth end to the device, and render introduction perfectly easy and safe. This knobbing or enlargement of the ends of fingers I will render the point t'ormed bythem all, when closed, firm; also will, when open, prevent injuryorpronging into the tissues. aml yet all the parts will be as perfectly adapted as ever to perform all the functions described orneededin present device. \\'lnlel have now shown only four fingers as attached to the ring, it is evident that I may use as tnany as may be desired. The device is simple in structure, strong,and easily kept in order. This device may be readily taken apart. by removing the screw-ring o, fixed or placed on pipe A just above end a, as well as rin; It.

The peculiar manner of hinging the fingers upon the ring I), aml adjusting them to aml on the double cone ot the fixed part U, will insure firm aml regular movements in the lingers when being opened or closed, and alsoto render them indlvidually firm when in the least expanded. This feature is one of very great moment in the delicate work the instrument is designed for.

Having thus described my invention, what I consider new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a vaginal dilating-syringe, the combination of the following elements, viz: a central pipe having fixed upon it an enlargement, and about said enlargement having a movable ring or device, to which the lower ends of fingers are secured, and suitable mechanism for operating said fingers on the aforesaid enlargement, to expand or contract them, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a vaginal dilating-pipe, the fingers I, pivoted in their curved lower portion to ring 1), and having curved ends 'i and shoulders i. and combined with the enlargement U of the pipe or nozzle A, substantially as aml for the purposes set forth.

3. The fingers I, knobbcd or enlarged at the ends '1', aml extending beyond the top of pipe A, and combined with it and with ring D and enlargement U, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a syringe having expansible arms, the knobbetl ends 1', of a generally triangular shape, and adapted to match with each other when closed and form a smooth tip or end to the device beyond the central pipe, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NATHAN MAYER, M. l).

\\'itnesses:

CHARLES W. JOHNSON, UnAs. M. JOSLYN. 

